Seven Habits

As I was reading through the summary of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, I was struck by how many of these habits are related to gospel teachings.

The seven habits are:

1. Be Proactive.
2. Begin with the end in mind.
3. Put first things first.
4. Think win/win.
5. First seek to understand . . . then to be understood.
6. Synergize.
7. Sharpen the saw.

Being proactive is something that we are commanded to do.  In Mathew 25 we read the parable of the talents.  Three servants are given talents from the Master and are left to care for them.  The two servants that are proactive are return gains are praised while the one servant that simply hides his talent because he does not want to lose it is punished.  This is an example of the expectation that we have to be proactive.

Beginning with the end in mind makes me think of our earthly journey.  I know that I want to be able to return to my Father in heaven.  This helps to be a guiding light for me to follow.  If I apply this idea to each of my activities then I will only choose those that are wholesome and uplifting so that I will be able to have a greater portion of the Spirit with me.

Putting first things first also goes along with gospel teachings.  If we look at each others as brothers and sisters, we will be more willing to give service and help one another to return to heaven.  We will have much more joy in our lives if we are willing to help each other along the way.

Each of the other steps can have a gospel significance placed with them as well, but the one I like the best is sharpening the saw.  It does not matter how good we got at something in the past.  It is how we are enduring to the end.  We need to continually be striving to improve ourselves.  We can do this at work, home life, church service, or in our community.  If we are continually trying to become better, we will be much more effective.

Passion, boundaries, and family life

As I think about this week’s readings and videos, I am struck by a few recurring themes.  I need to have a passion in what I am doing; I need to have boundaries that will preserve what is most important; and I need to maintain my family life regardless of what else happens.

The need for passion is clear.  I have to believe in what I am doing to the point that others will believe.  Even when things are going wrong (This is almost certain to happen.)  By taking clear steps forward with a business venture, even when we don’t know what will happen, will show others that we believe in what we are doing.  It is almost like George Leonard had mentioned in his book “Mastery.”  Being able to visualize the ending will help you to be successful.

Setting boundaries is important.  There are several things that I value deeply and am not willing to give up in order to be an entrepreneur.  In the readings and videos it mentioned on multiple occasions that a new venture can consume all of your time.  I am not willing to sacrifice my family life or my church life for a business venture, so it is important to have boundaries in place before I begin so that I have the necessary guardrails in place.

This week I have realized how critical family life is for me especially.  Having a conversation with my wife about her day or listening to my five year old make up a story as she is going along are things that I will remember long after any business venture is gone.  I draw strength from my family.  I realize that if I am to succeed in being an entrepreneur I will need to have my family firmly behind or possible beside me as I start my new adventure.

Perseverance

1. Perseverance.  Perseverance is the lesson that I have taken from this week's readings and study.  To be successful in business as an entrepreneur I am going to need to have perseverance.
2. Google defines perseverance as:
3. 
   
4. Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

What I like about this definition is that does acknowledge that if we work hard enough and long enough, we will be able to overcome our challenges.  We can be successful.  How each person defines their own success may be different, but they will need to persevere to get there.

I know that the road to become an entrepreneur will be difficult.  There will be many times that I will want to give in or give up.  The thing that will allow me to stand out will be my willingness to persevere, even when all seems lost.

I am going to have challenges throughout my future.  It is how I face these challenges and grow from them that will help to define the type of person I become.  I am making that choice now.  I will persevere in my pursuit of success.

From the video "A Hero's Journey" I learned that I should talk to 5 people that know me well and ask them what I do better than the rest of the world.  They will be able to identify things that I think are commonplace, but are actually my skill set that I should be focusing on.

I also realized that I don't show enough gratitude to others.  I will take his advice to write a letter of gratitude and read it out loud to the person I addressed it to.  I think this will lead me to be more grateful and more observant of the blessings that I have in my life.

Deconstructing fears

This week in class I had the opportunity to go through an exercise called "Deconstructing your fears."  During the exercise I was to list my top four fears for starting a business.  I then identified ways mitigate the risks for each one.  Finally, I came up with a solution for how to get back to my starting point if I completely failed at my assigned task.

This exercise has helped me to realize that many of my fears are not as serious as I have always assumed them to be.  Actually taking the time to look and and dissect my fears has allowed me to have more confidence that I can be successful as an entrepreneur.

It has not given me limitless confidence, but it has helped me to realize that there are ways of overcoming my fears.  Knowledge is one of the best solutions to any type of anxiety like this.

My wife has been continually asking me to start a few separate businesses, a restaurant or a theme park.  I feel that since she is very supportive that I would be able to work on the restaurant on a limited basis and see if I can be successful.  I feel I should have more experience before I attempt something as big as a theme park.  Time will tell.

Integrity

Integrity.

Integrity is a powerful word.  Yes it means honesty, but it also means following through on your word.  It means having genuine concern for others.  Being able to have integrity is something that I need to continue to strive for.  It is not something that I can say that I have achieved it and then not worry about any more.  I need to keep working on developing my integrity every day.  I am either increasing or decreasing my level of integrity.  It is a fluid thing.  Having made some commitments this week will help me to maintain my integrity.  Making statements about what I will and will not do, goes a long way in helping me decide in advance what my decisions will be when confronted.  Here is the list that I have made that will help to guide me in my decisions so that I can focus on the complicated issues because the situations listed below have already been decided upon.

1.     I will never be unfaithful to my wife.

2.     I will never use drugs or alcohol.

3.     I will never intentionally harm another person.

4.     I will never cheat another person, regardless of setting.

5.     I will never steal.

6.     I will always pay my tithing.

7.     I will always be a good example to my children.

8.     I will always work hard to provide for my family.

9.     I will always work to create value in any occupation that I have.

I look forward to being able to demonstrate my integrity to others.  At times it seems very simplistic the choices that I am making, but I look at how others are struggling with the same choices and I realize that is because they have not made a decision in advance as to what they would do.